Best Cities for Families in New Jersey
New Jersey ranks #20 of 50 for families, with a families score of 69.6. Hoboken is its best city for families at 66.3.
- New Jersey, all states
- #20 of 50
- Population
- 58,668
New Jersey for Families: The Full Picture
New Jersey is a middle-of-the-pack state for families, ranking #20 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 193.8 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $104,294, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs run above the national average with a cost-of-living index of 108.8.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and New Jersey delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 85.2%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 75/100. Center-based infant care runs $17,977 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. New Jersey excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 193.8 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The higher cost of living (index: 108.8) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Hoboken | A+ | 66.3 | 74.2 | 88 | 84 | 17 | 58,668 |
| 2Clifton | A | 63.6 | 63.4 | 79 | 82 | 50 | 89,379 |
| 3Hackensack | B+ | 63.5 | 62.2 | 88 | 78 | 51 | 46,057 |
| 4Bayonne | B+ | 62.8 | 60.0 | 78 | 81 | 51 | 71,553 |
| 5Perth Amboy | C | 60.0 | 51.4 | 80 | 84 | 54 | 55,855 |
| 6Lakewood | C | 59.7 | 50.9 | 85 | — | 39 | 69,585 |
| 7Union City | B | 59.6 | 55.9 | 76 | 81 | 52 | 66,463 |
| 8Jersey City | B+ | 59.2 | 60.5 | 72 | 63 | 42 | 294,078 |
| 9Vineland | C | 59.0 | 50.7 | 71 | 65 | 75 | 61,006 |
| 10Toms River | B+ | 58.7 | 59.7 | 78 | — | 52 | 94,956 |
| 11West New York | B | 58.3 | 58.1 | 69 | 83 | 50 | 52,004 |
| 12Elizabeth | C | 57.8 | 52.3 | 76 | 68 | 53 | 137,302 |
| 13East Orange | C | 57.8 | 49.7 | 76 | 66 | 58 | 70,090 |
| 14New Brunswick | C | 56.6 | 51.5 | 70 | 62 | 54 | 56,345 |
| 15Plainfield | C | 55.4 | 50.7 | 58 | 69 | 52 | 55,236 |
| 16Newark | D | 54.8 | 47.7 | 69 | 61 | 58 | 310,178 |
| 17Passaic | D | 54.0 | 47.9 | 60 | 57 | 55 | 70,002 |
| 18Camden | F | 51.2 | 38.0 | 76 | 20 | 77 | 71,496 |
| 19Paterson | D | 50.5 | 43.1 | 73 | 34 | 57 | 158,735 |
| 20Trenton | D | 47.8 | 42.8 | 54 | 38 | 74 | 90,338 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: New Jersey for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New Jersey a good state for families?
New Jersey ranks #20 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 69.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (82/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (7/100).
What is the best city for families in New Jersey?
Hoboken ranks #1 in New Jersey for families with a score of 66.3/100, followed by Clifton and Hackensack.
What factors are most important for families in New Jersey?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.